6-Day Nakuru, Maasai Mara and Lake Naivasha Safari

πŸ“ Lake Nakuru, Maasai Mara and Lake Naivasha, Kenya
6 Days Β· 5 Nights
From USD 1,575 / person (adult)
6 Days Β· 5 Nights
Cost includes: Park fees, airport transfers, accommodation, all meals, game drives, Crescent Island boat ride and nature walk, professional guide
Overview
Trip Route
1 1. Nairobi Nairobi 2 2. Great Rift Valley Viewpoint Great Rift Valley Viewpoint 3 3. Lake Nakuru National Park Lake Nakuru National Park 4 4. Maasai Mara National Reserve Maasai Mara National Reserve 5 5. Lake Naivasha Lake Naivasha
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Trip Route
6 Days Β· 5 Nights Β· 5 Stops
Day 1
Nairobi
Departure point and airport pick-up
Day 1
Great Rift Valley Viewpoint
Scenic stop en route to Nakuru
Day 1 to 2
Lake Nakuru National Park
Flamingos, white rhino and Rothschild giraffe
Day 2 to 5
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Big Five, Great Migration and Maasai culture
Day 5 to 6
Lake Naivasha
Boat ride, hippos and Crescent Island nature walk
Trip Info

This carefully crafted six-day safari sweeps you through three of Kenya's most celebrated wild places, each with a character entirely its own. You will begin at Lake Nakuru, where the Great Rift Valley cradles a soda lake famed for its blush-pink flamingo flocks and a thriving population of white rhinos. From there, the open savannah of the Maasai Mara beckons, offering two full days of game drives across plains that host the Big Five and, in season, the thundering spectacle of the Great Wildebeest Migration. Your adventure closes on the tranquil shores of Lake Naivasha, where a boat ride among hippos and a guided walk on Crescent Island among freely roaming giraffe and zebra provide a serene and memorable finale. With Africompass, every detail from the first welcome at the airport to the final drop-off is handled by our experienced multilingual team, so you can focus entirely on the wonder unfolding around you.

πŸ’³ Secure your booking today with a 50% deposit; the remaining balance can be settled after the tour is completed.
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 01 Day 1: Nairobi to Lake Nakuru National Park β–Ύ

On Day 1 you will be warmly welcomed at the airport by your Africompass representative and transferred to Lake Nakuru National Park, with a scenic stop at the Great Rift Valley Viewpoint along the way. You will arrive at the lodge in time for lunch, then head out for an afternoon game drive through a park celebrated for its pink flamingos, endangered white rhinos and stately Rothschild giraffes. As the sun dips below the Rift Valley escarpment, you will return to the lodge for dinner and your first night in the wild.

  • Airport pick-up and transfer from Nairobi
  • Scenic stop at the Great Rift Valley Viewpoint
  • Arrival at lodge for lunch
  • Afternoon game drive in Lake Nakuru National Park
  • Wildlife viewing: pink flamingos, white rhino, Rothschild giraffe and more
  • Dinner and overnight at lodge
Accommodation Options
Lake Nakuru Lodge
Option 01
Lake Nakuru Lodge
Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya
Full board Β· standard room
Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge
Option 02
Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge
Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya
Full board Β· standard room
Day 02 Day 2: Lake Nakuru to Maasai Mara National Reserve β–Ύ

On Day 2, after a leisurely breakfast, you will depart Lake Nakuru on a scenic drive to the world-renowned Maasai Mara National Reserve, with opportunities for wildlife spotting along the route. You will arrive at your lodge in time for lunch and a short rest before your first afternoon game drive across the iconic Mara plains. The evening will be spent relaxing at the lodge over dinner, with the sounds of the African bush as your backdrop.

  • Breakfast at lodge
  • Scenic drive from Lake Nakuru to Maasai Mara with en-route wildlife viewing
  • Arrival at Mara lodge for lunch
  • Afternoon game drive in Maasai Mara National Reserve
  • Wildlife viewing: Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino) and birdlife
  • Dinner and overnight at lodge
Accommodation Options
AA Lodge Mara
Option 01
AA Lodge Mara
Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Full board Β· standard room
Day 03 Day 3: Full-Day Game Drive in Maasai Mara β–Ύ

On Day 3 you will set out early after breakfast for a full-day game drive that takes you deep into the Maasai Mara, all the way to the Mara River, where seasonal Great Migration crossings draw thousands of wildebeest and massive Nile crocodiles line the banks. The reserve's extraordinary density of predators and plains game means there will be remarkable sightings around every turn, and a picnic lunch served in the heart of the bush will add to the magic. In the late afternoon, you will have the option of a cultural visit to a traditional Maasai village to experience centuries-old customs and community life.

  • Early breakfast at lodge
  • Full-day game drive in Maasai Mara National Reserve
  • Drive to the Mara River for seasonal Great Migration and Nile crocodile sightings
  • Big Five game viewing across the open savannah
  • Birdwatching (over 350 recorded species in the reserve)
  • Picnic lunch in the reserve
  • Optional cultural visit to a traditional Maasai village (additional cost may apply)
  • Dinner and overnight at lodge
Accommodation Options
AA Lodge Mara
Option 01
AA Lodge Mara
Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Full board Β· standard room
Day 04 Day 4: Full-Day Game Drive in Maasai Mara β–Ύ

On Day 4 a second full-day game drive will allow you to explore further corners of the Maasai Mara at a relaxed pace, following the Mara River and scanning the plains for the Big Five and the seasonal spectacle of the Great Migration. A picnic lunch under the acacia trees will give you time to soak in the vast landscape before afternoon exploration continues. The day will conclude with an optional visit to a Maasai village, after which you will return to the lodge for dinner and a well-earned rest.

  • Breakfast at lodge
  • Full-day game drive with continued exploration of Maasai Mara
  • Mara River wildlife viewing: seasonal migration crossings and Nile crocodile sightings
  • Big Five and plains game viewing
  • Birdwatching across the reserve
  • Picnic lunch in the reserve
  • Optional Maasai village cultural visit (additional cost may apply)
  • Dinner and overnight at lodge
Accommodation Options
AA Lodge Mara
Option 01
AA Lodge Mara
Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Full board Β· standard room
Day 05 Day 5: Maasai Mara to Lake Naivasha and Crescent Island β–Ύ

On Day 5, after breakfast, you will depart the Maasai Mara on a scenic drive to Lake Naivasha, arriving at your lakeside camp in time for lunch. In the afternoon, a relaxing boat ride across the lake will bring you face to face with hippos wallowing in the shallows and a rich array of waterbirds along the papyrus-fringed shores. You will then step ashore on Crescent Island, a private sanctuary where giraffe, zebra and antelope roam freely, and a guided nature walk will offer a rare, unhurried encounter with East Africa's wildlife as the sun settles over the lake.

  • Breakfast at Maasai Mara lodge
  • Scenic drive from Maasai Mara to Lake Naivasha
  • Arrival at lakeside camp for lunch
  • Afternoon boat ride on Lake Naivasha with hippo and birdlife viewing
  • Visit to Crescent Island private sanctuary
  • Guided nature walk on Crescent Island among freely roaming giraffe, zebra and antelope
  • Panoramic views of Lake Naivasha from the island
  • Dinner and overnight at camp
Accommodation Options
Avian Court
Option 01
Avian Court
Lake Naivasha, Kenya
Full board Β· standard room
Day 06 Day 6: Lake Naivasha to Nairobi β–Ύ

On Day 6, after a final breakfast at the lakeside camp, you will begin the scenic drive back to Nairobi, taking in the beautiful landscapes of the Rift Valley one last time. You will arrive in the city during the afternoon and be transferred to your hotel or directly to the airport for your onward journey. It will be the perfect close to a six-day adventure filled with unforgettable wildlife encounters, sweeping African vistas and warm Africompass hospitality.

  • Breakfast at lakeside camp
  • Scenic drive from Lake Naivasha back to Nairobi
  • Afternoon arrival and transfer to hotel or Nairobi airport
  • End of safari
Rates & Cost Breakdown

All rates are per person and vary by travel season. Choose your season below to view the applicable pricing.

Adult USD 1,575
ℹ️ Per adult. Contact Africompass for group rates and seasonal pricing.
What's Included & Excluded

What's Included

  • Park fees for non-residents
  • All activities listed in the itinerary
  • Meals as specified per day (breakfast, lunch and dinner where indicated)
  • All accommodation as listed
  • Round-trip airport transfers
  • Services of a professional driver-guide
  • All transportation within the itinerary
  • All government taxes and VAT

Not Included

  • International flights to and from your home country
  • Additional accommodation before or after the safari
  • Tips and gratuities (recommended USD 10 per person per day for guide and crew)
  • Personal expenses including souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees and other personal items
  • Government-imposed increases in park fees and/or taxes
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Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to go on safari?

It depends on what you want to see. For the Great Migration river crossings in the Maasai Mara, visit between July and October, when the herds cross the Mara River in search of fresh grazing. For calving season and dense predator activity, January to March is excellent, particularly around the southern Serengeti. Kenya's two dry seasons (June to October and January to February) generally offer the clearest skies and easiest game viewing across Amboseli, Tsavo, and Samburu, since animals gather around limited water sources. The 'green season' (November and April to May) brings lush scenery, migratory birdlife, and lower rates, though some rural roads can be muddy. Tell us your travel dates and priorities, and we will recommend the destinations that fit best.

Do I need a visa and vaccinations?

Most nationalities need a Kenya eTA (Electronic Travel Authorisation), applied for online before you fly; Tanzania and Zanzibar require their own separate visa, available online or on arrival depending on your nationality. Entry requirements change from time to time, so confirm the current rules for your passport a few weeks before departure. A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is mandatory if you are arriving from, or have transited through, a Yellow Fever risk country, and we recommend it in general along with being up to date on routine vaccinations (MMR, tetanus, hepatitis A and B). Most safari areas are malaria zones, so antimalarial medication is strongly advised. Always check final requirements with your doctor or a travel health clinic, and ask us for the latest entry rules when you book.

Are your safaris private or group?

Every itinerary we build is private and tailor-made by default: your own vehicle, driver-guide, and schedule, with no strangers added to your trip. That means you can linger an extra morning at a favourite lodge, adjust the route on the go, or add a visit to the Emmanuel New Hope Rescue Centre we support. If you would rather share costs or travel as a solo guest, we can also arrange a scheduled group departure and match you with other travellers on similar dates. Either way, your safari is planned by our Nairobi-based specialists around your budget, dates, and interests, not a fixed package.

How much does a Kenya safari cost?

Safari costs vary widely depending on where you stay and how you travel. Budget camping safaris in parks like Amboseli or Lake Nakuru can start from around USD 150 to 250 per person per day, mid-range lodge safaris typically run USD 250 to 450 per day, and luxury tented camps in the Maasai Mara or Serengeti can exceed USD 750 per day. Your quote always includes a private vehicle, driver-guide, park fees, and accommodation as specified in your itinerary. Since every trip we build is tailor-made, tell us your budget and travel dates and we'll show you exactly what it buys, with no hidden extras.

What should I pack for an African safari?

Pack light, neutral-coloured clothing (khaki, olive, beige) for game drives, since bright colours and dark blue can attract tsetse flies in some regions. Bring layers for early morning drives, which can be cold even near the equator, plus a hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen. A good pair of binoculars, a camera with a zoom lens, and a portable charger make a real difference to the experience. Comfortable closed shoes are more useful than sandals, and most lodges offer laundry service, so you rarely need more than a week's worth of clothing even on a longer trip. We send a full packing checklist tailored to your specific itinerary and season once you book.

Do you offer self-drive or chauffeur-driven car hire?

Yes. Alongside our guided safaris, we offer both self-drive car hire and chauffeur-driven vehicles for clients who want more flexibility around Nairobi, the coast, or shorter road trips. Self-drive suits experienced drivers comfortable with Kenyan road conditions, while a chauffeur-driven car is the better choice for game-viewing routes, night driving, or if you'd simply rather relax and let a local expert handle the roads. All our vehicles are well-maintained 4x4s suited to both tarmac and rougher safari tracks. Let us know your route and dates and we'll recommend the right option.

Is it safe to travel to Kenya and Tanzania?

Millions of visitors travel safely to Kenya and Tanzania every year, and the main tourist circuits, national parks, and coastal resorts are well-established and closely monitored. As with any international travel, sensible precautions apply: use a reputable operator (we're KATO-verified), avoid displaying valuables in cities, and follow your guide's advice in wildlife areas, where the real risk is animals, not crime. We stay in regular contact with our clients throughout their trip, and our drivers know the routes and current conditions well. If you have specific safety questions about your itinerary, we're happy to talk them through before you book.

Can you combine a safari with a beach holiday in Zanzibar or Diani?

Absolutely, it's one of our most popular combinations. A typical itinerary pairs 4 to 7 days on safari in the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, or Serengeti with 3 to 5 days unwinding on the beach in Zanzibar or Diani Beach, taking advantage of short connecting flights between the two. We handle all the logistics, including domestic flight bookings and airport transfers, so you go straight from game drives to the Indian Ocean without the stress of planning it yourself. Tell us how many days you have and we'll suggest a balance between wildlife and beach time that fits your trip.

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